The Fiji Times, 02 July 2018 – FIJIAN pilots began to command the respect of the global aviation industry since the first locals began flying turbo propeller driven aircraft in the early 1970s.
The transition from turbo props such as the Hawker Siddeley to British Aerospace’s BAC 1-11 jets took Fijian pilots to the forefront of the regional and international aviation sector.
However, it was when legendary local airmen such as Henry Leweniqila, Sakeasi Rokovucago, Matereti Tuisue and Kava Konrote sat in the captain’s seat of the then giant of the skies — the Boeing 747 Jumbo jet in the late 1980s and early 1990s — that international airlines began to take notice of the Fijian prowess in the cockpit.
Their superb handling skills and command of the 370-seat aircraft caught the eye of many an international operator. So now we turn our eyes to one man who played a significant role in the development of our local pilots on the Jumbos.
He was an Englishman called Captain Jim Edwards. If you have a conversation with the Staffordshire-born native today, you will find that he has a passion for all things aviation. Read more…
